Carlo to fight for place

14 April 2012

Carlo Cudicini believes new head coach Jose Mourinho can transform Chelsea into one of the biggest clubs in Europe.

The former Porto coach has made a huge impression in just two days at Stamford Bridge, with one player describing him as the most impressive footballing figure he has ever encountered.

Chelsea goalkeeper Cudicini has been similarly impressed and is confident Mourinho's intense approach will pay off. The 30-year-old is the most experienced player at the club following Marcel Desailly's departure yesterday and acknowledges that changes need to be made if Chelsea are to compete at the highest level.

Cudicini said: "We want to become the biggest club in Europe, so there has to be changes. We have a new manager and new coaches, and the club are doing everything to help the team reach the top.

"Jose is changing a lot of things and after a short period will make his mark. Sometimes people don't like managers who are too sure of themselves but I think it's a good quality.

"When you're working with top players, you have to show your confidence and lead from the front and the manager does that. Every manager has his methods and we have to think about what he's doing. If he can repeat the success he had at Porto, it will be fantastic for us. Everyone wants to follow him."

Cudicini was once touted as the solution to England's goalkeeping problems, but his priority at the moment is to secure his place in the Chelsea team.

The Italian has been at the club long enough to consider taking British citizenship but, following the £8million signing of Czech Republic international Petr Cech, now finds his own position under threat. Having risen from small Italian club Castel Di Sangro to become arguably the best goalkeeper in the Premiership in four years at Chelsea, Cudicini is determined to fight for his place.

He said: "Petr is a good goalkeeper and has a bright future but competition is nothing new for me. When I arrived at the club I had to fight with Ed de Goey for my place and am ready to fight for the position again.

"I want to play every game but we will see what happens. I never considered moving on because I love Chelsea and want to stay here until my contract ends in 2008.

"I don't think that money is relevant to team selection. It really doesn't bother me and I know that the challenge is on the pitch, not transfer fees."

Cudicini will get an early opportunity to impress Mourinho on the club's pre-season tour of America, with Cech still on holiday following his exertions in Euro 2004, but feels he has nothing to prove. The former AC Milan trainee also has the advantage of feeling fresh after a long summer hol iday and is eyeing Chelsea's Premiership opener against Manchester United on 15 August.

He said: "I will probably play in pre-season but that's not important, it only matters from 15 August."

Meanwhile, Desailly today revealed his pain at failing to lead Chelsea to the Premiership title.

The French World Cupwinning captain agreed to leave the club by mutual consent and is considering offers from France and Qatar as he weighs up his future.

Desailly said: "It was a difficult decision for me to leave as I love the club but being in the team is not good for me at the moment. I feel pain that we didn't win the Premier League."

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Carlo to fight for place

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